State Senator Leticia Van De Putte is greeted by Flaco Jimenez who was on hand for a recognition ceremony before the senator gave her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015

State Senator Leticia Van De Putte is greeted by Flaco Jimenez who was on hand for a recognition ceremony before the senator gave her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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State Senator Leticia Van De Putte chats with her replacement Jose Mennedez and her husband Pete before she gives her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015

State Senator Leticia Van De Putte chats with her replacement Jose Mennedez and her husband Pete before she gives her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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State Senator Leticia Van De Putte explains a notation she entered in her desk Bible to be left for her replacement, Jose Menendez, before she gives her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015 less

State Senator Leticia Van De Putte explains a notation she entered in her desk Bible to be left for her replacement, Jose Menendez, before she gives her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February ... more

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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State Senator Leticia Van De Putte holds back tears as she gives her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015

State Senator Leticia Van De Putte holds back tears as she gives her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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State Senator Leticia Van De Putte gives a tearful hug to her replacement, Jose Menendez, after she gives her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015

State Senator Leticia Van De Putte gives a tearful hug to her replacement, Jose Menendez, after she gives her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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State Senator Leticia Van De Putte stands for pictures with Senators Judith Zafarini and Carlos Uresti (both left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Henry Cisneros after she gives her farewell speech on the Senate floor Tuesday, February 24, 2015 less

State Senator Leticia Van De Putte stands for pictures with Senators Judith Zafarini and Carlos Uresti (both left) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Henry Cisneros after she gives her farewell speech on the Senate ... more

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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AUDIO: Van de Putte bids farewell to the Texas Senate

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AUSTIN — Leticia Van de Putte, retiring from the Texas Legislature to run for San Antonio mayor, delivered an emotional farewell speech from the floor of the state Senate Tuesday, waxing on roughly 25 years of public service with an address that sought to encapsulate the upper chamber in one word: family.

“We’re a family here, and we’re a family here forever,” Van de Putte said during an almost 13-minute speech.

With her husband, Pete, knelt beside her desk, Van de Putte offered praise for individual lawmakers, but also sought to frame the Senate as a chamber that shares together in “times of static joy” and the “deepest personal sorrows.” Putting partisan differences aside, she said the “civility” and “humanity” of the Legislature tends to prevail in the “toughest of times.”

“I see how people of integrity and commitment can accomplish incredible feats,” she said.

Elected in 1990 to represent a blue-collar district on San Antonio’s West Side, Van de Putte served five terms in the state House before joining the Senate in 1999. She ran unsuccessfully in 2014 for lieutenant governor, announcing her bid for San Antonio mayor just weeks after a crushing defeat at the hands of Republican Dan Patrick.

Before Van de Putte spoke, senators stood one-by-one to shower her tenure in the Legislature with bipartisan praise. Recognized by most for her work as the head of the Senate’s Committee for Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, some struck a more personal tone.

“She was everybody’s momma, and she was everybody’s pharmacist,” said state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, referencing Van de Putte’s fulltime profession as a pharmacist.

“We will miss you so much. All of us will remember your legacy,” Zaffirini added.

State Sen. John Whitmire, a Houston Democrat who carries the title of “dean” of the Texas Senate, said he believed Van de Putte would be back in front Legislature soon enough — but as mayor of San Antonio

“I’m not saying goodbye because I think you’ll be down here lobbying for the cities in a very short time,” he said.

And state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, held up a small card as he extolled Van de Putte, noting she handed out that card to every member of the Senate in 2013 just days after her father passed away. He used it to show what he described as the “integrity and compassion” that Van de Putte brought to the Senate.

“You will be long remembered on this floor,” he said.

Van de Putte’s speech was chock-full of legislative memories and shout outs to lawmakers, Senate staff and even the press corps. She also carved out a small slice of her speech for Patrick, the newly elected lieutenant governor who beat Van de Putte in November.

“I stand always as your full partner in the love for this state,” she said. “You are at the dais now, and I know you will wield that gavel with compassion for the best interest of the people of this state.”

Van de Putte’s replacement in the Senate, state Rep. Jose Menendez, is set to be sworn in next week.